Association of IL-12 and TNF-α Polymorphisms with Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Cytokines are important factors determining the outcome of transplantation. The host ability in cytokine production may be affected by cytokine genes polymorphisms. To investigate the effect of IL-12 and TNF-α gene polymorphisms on outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 90 bone marrow transplant recipients were included in this study. 30 (33%) of 90 recipients experienced graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). IL-12 and TNF-α gene polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR-RFLP and ARMS-PCR method, respectively. No significant difference in the distribution of IL-12 (rs3212227 +1188 A/C) and TNF-α (rs 1800629 -308 G/A) genotypes and alleles was observed between those with and without GVHD. There was no significant association between the distribution of genotypes and the recipient sex. IL-12 (rs3212227 +1188 A/C) and TNF-α (rs 1800629-308 G/A) genotypes and alleles were not risk factors for development of GVHD.